Wire Rope

Wire rope is a heavy, tensile, strong, weather-resistant hoisting cable made from many small metal filaments wrapped and braided together. You can get a lot of strength and flexibility out of wire rope because the separate wires equalize pressure throughout the bunch and work well with pulleys. We can find wire rope on a modern farm, a fishing boat, and an international dock.

Usually wire rope is comprised of steel strands arranged in an array around a central core. This design allows the entire wire to hold a lot of weight and still stay ductile. The individual filaments are wrapped into a bunch called a strand. Several of these strands, perhaps six or nine, are then arranged into an even larger bunch called a wire surrounding a central core, the sheath.

Wire rope can be made from steel or iron. For outdoor use, many kinds of wire rope are galvanized so they won't rust through corrosion. Wire that hasn't been galvanized is called "bright." Other types are available with alloys that add various advantages. Wire rope usually can be maintained with cleaning and lubricating to make sure it remains compatible and safe with rigging hardware.

Some characteristics of wire rope are diameter, breaking strength, resistance to corrosion, difficulty of flattening or crushing, ability to be bent and average lifespan. For each application of pulleys, chains, and weights, an industrial engineer needs to determine the correct type of wire rope. Only that size, weight, and braid of rope can be used to ensure that it won't fray or snap.

People use wire rope to protect forests, unload imported goods, or provide raw food. Farmers use wire rope to lift entire grain silos. Firefighters that take water out of lakes for dropping onto flames must tie the scoop to the helicopter. In major ports, both the docking ships and the vehicles on the ground need wire rope in rigging to move giant pallets.

The most important aspect of wire rope is how it will function under the stress of each application. In many uses, it supports giant, heavy objects, and if it fails, lives could be in danger. Always know the breaking strength of your wire rope and, unless you are a professional, don't use it in a way that could potentially injure someone.

Beaded Curtain

Beaded curtains are dividers or curtains that are composed of multiple strings of beads placed in close proximity to create the general look of a drape or curtain. A beaded curtain is sometimes used to divide a room into two separate areas, or to provide a decorating accent that helps to highlight some feature of the space. Curtain beads can be composed from a wide range of materials, including wood, bamboo, or various types of plastic.

One of the more common examples of a beaded curtain is the beaded door curtain. Sometimes employed as a way to limit the visual access to another room, beaded door curtains have the advantage of allowing verbal communications to continue while providing no barrier to slow down free movement between the connected rooms. For example, a beaded curtain hung in the doorway separating a den from a kitchen makes it possible to continue a conversation with the cook without exposing the condition of the kitchen to anyone sitting in the den. In addition, the beaded curtain allows the cook to emerge with platters of food or drink with ease, without any need to stop and open or close a door.

Another application for the beaded curtain is as a window dressing accent. When draperies are considered too heavy for the general décor, the beaded curtain may provide the ideal solution. The colors of the beads help to dress the window area while still allowing light to come into the space. When paired with a simple cornice board or perhaps hanging plants to anchor the area, the beaded curtains may serve as a focal point in the room.

Using beaded curtains as room dividers is also a quick and easy means of giving an open space definition for more than one function. A large room, such as those found in loft apartments, can make use of a beaded curtain to establish specific living and dining areas. A beaded curtain may also provide an inexpensive and decorative way to separate the sleeping area from other areas of the loft as well. The curtains can easily be suspended from the rafters using simple “S” hooks and dowels to hold the rows of beads in place.

While the beaded curtain may not be compatible with some types of room décor, there are many instances where the look and function of the curtains is ideal for the space. Because of the wide range of colors and textures available with the beads, it is possible to construct a beaded curtain that is tailored for a specific need. 

Pocket Watch

A pocket watch is a timepiece meant to be carried in the pocket, rather than worn on the wrist. Pocket watches predate wristwatches by about 400 years, the first invented in 1510 Nuremberg, Germany by Peter Henlein.

Despite its long history, the absence of exacting mass manufacturing meant the accuracy of pocket watches varied greatly from watchmaker to watchmaker, even into the 19th century. Dire results were to be demonstrated in the great train wreck of 1891 in Kipton, Ohio. Here the pocket watch of an engineer stopped for 4 minutes, leading to two trains colliding on the same track. The only way to avoid further disasters was for the American Railway Association to set a high quality standard for pocket watches used in the railway system. Ergo, a pocket watch that met this standard held the distinction of being Railroad Approved.

A pocket watch can have a visible bezel, or it can be encased, usually in a metallic cover of silver or gold. The case might be finely polished, engraved, include a relief, or other artistic design, such as the once-popular train. The pocket watch case has a small spring latch. When activated, the bezel's cover flips open, remaining latched at the left bottom portion of the case for easy closure.

A pocket watch is used with a gold or silver watch chain. The type of chain depends on where the pocket watch will be worn: in a vest pocket or pants pocket. The T-bar chain slips through a vest buttonhole; the spring ring chain attaches to a belt loop; and they belt clip chain attaches to the belt itself. A shorter-style chain features a decorative fob on the end, and is meant to simply hang from the pocket freely. In all cases, the other end of the chain attaches to a small ring at the top of the pocket watch, for easy retrieval.

By the 19th century the pocket watch was a status symbol of high society. This popularity continued into the 20th century when pocket watches became fashion statements worn with zoot suits. And while the wristwatch gained popularity from its necessity on the battlefield during WWI to coordinate troop maneuvers, (wristwatches were provided to the troops by the army), and the pocket watch was still the accessory to wear with three-piece suits of the 1950s. Eventually, however, wristwatches replaced the pervasive popularity of the pocket watch.

Today there is a resurgence of interest in the ever stylish, ever classy timepiece that has been faithfully ticking away the hours for nearly 500 years. If you are considering a pocket watch for yourself or as a gift, they are sold wherever watches are sold, and they are available in every price range.

Voltage Regulators

Voltage regulators are components that maintain a consistent voltage output. Electronic components are often made to accept only a low maximum voltage, and can be badly damaged by a power surge. Likewise, a low voltage can fail to provide enough power for the component. Voltage regulators are often responsible for maintaining a voltage within the range that the electronic component can safely accept.

A computer is one example of an electronic device that requires voltage regulators. Voltage regulators are responsible for transmitting the voltage generated by the computer's power supply in a low-voltage flow that won't damage the microprocessor. A computer may require one or two voltage regulators, depending on the system; some computers use special "voltage ID programmable" voltage regulators, which interface with the microprocessor to ensure a specific voltage level.

Cars also use voltage regulators in the system that maintains the battery's charge. Voltage regulators are usually part of the car's alternator, although many cars, particularly older cars and modern American models, have exterior voltage regulators. Alternators or generators are used to generate power, which is fed into the car's battery in order to maintain a full charge. The power generated by the car's charging system is also used to run the car's electrical systems, such as headlights, radio, power windows and locks, and ventilation systems.

An alternator or generator has a pulley on one side that is turned by one of the engine's drive belts; the force of the engine is therefore used to run the alternator or generator. Because the engine's speed varies during acceleration and shifting gears, voltage regulators are necessary to control the output produced by the alternator or generator. An excessively high voltage output, caused by the engine's higher speeds if the alternator or generator is unregulated, could send a surge through the system, overcharging the battery and damaging the car's electrical systems. A very low voltage output will fail to produce enough power to maintain the battery's charge and run the car's electronic systems, creating a load on the battery and potentially reducing the battery's life.

When voltage regulators stop working, they need to be replaced. Voltage regulators for computers or other basic household electronics are available through dealers that specialize in electronics. For cars, voltage regulators are available from the dealership or aftermarket parts stores. Some cars may have external voltage regulators, in which case the voltage regulator may be purchased separately and easily replaced. However, most cars' voltage regulators are located inside the alternator, requiring the owner to either buy a new alternator or rebuild the existing alternator with a new voltage regulator.

Alternator

An alternator is part of the charging system of your car that produces electricity for many devices. A type of generator, the alternator transforms mechanical energy into electrical energy. Although your car's battery supplies some electricity, most of the electrical mechanisms within the vehicle, require the alternator's steady stream of power.

Alternating current (rather than direct current) gives the alternator its name, because this is the type of electricity it creates. It's mainly a mechanical device, concealing a pulley, wheels, brushes and wires, which hooks to the crankshaft and runs to the battery. This way, the gasoline powers the engine to turn the crankshaft, which in turn connects to the alternator. The alternator converts that motion into current whenever the car is running. The resulting electricity operates the cooling fan, headlights, windshield wipers, radio, defogger, and air conditioning.

To be more specific, an alternator is very efficient at producing a constant, high voltage, even when the car is idle, because of how it works. The belt (from the crankshaft) connects to a pulley system, called the rotor, such that when the belt is turning, it moves magnets across a special surface, called a conductor. Moving magnets, in the stator, generate an electrostatic field, otherwise known as electricity. This alternating current is controlled by a voltage regulator to keep the voltage steady. Another part, called the diodes, convert alternating current into direct current that flows on to the battery and other components.

Even if your alternator dies or malfunctions, your car will run for a while directly off of the battery, until all the battery's power is sapped. Therefore, it is hard to tell when your alternator has problems. Sometimes a harsh noise, or intermittent headlights, will give it away. Check to make sure the belts on the alternator are not cracked, or improperly tightened, before you replace the entire thing. A rebuilt alternator can be a reliable, but less expensive, option if you need it repaired

Cell Phone Charger

A cell phone charger is a device used to recharge the battery in a mobile phone unit. Often, a basic cell phone charger comes with the cell phone when it is purchased. In some cases, additional chargers may be purchased that have added features.

There are many different types of cell phone chargers to choose from. Among the most popular are wall chargers, car chargers, travel chargers, rapid chargers and instant chargers. Many mobile phone owners may own one or more of these other types of chargers, depending on situations they may find themselves in.

The wall charger is the most common type of cell phone charger. It has a standard plug designed to fit the outlets in the country in which it was sold. In some cases, this cell phone charger may come with some added features, such as a docking station for the phone. However, this may actually decrease the phone’s functionality, as it cannot be used while charging. The travel charger is usually very similar to the wall charger but is usually less bulky and may include prongs that fold down for easier travel. In some cases, the travel charger has replaced the wall charger as the standard one included with the phone.

The car charger is another very popular option. This cell phone charger has an adapter that allows it to be plugged into a vehicle’s DC port, commonly known as a cigarette lighter. It is especially useful for those who do a substantial amount of traveling and need constant access to their mobile phones.

A rapid charger looks very much like a wall charger, but is a more powerful cell phone charger, able to charge phones in just a fraction of the time it would normally take. For most models, charging a phone takes two to three hours. Rapid chargers advertise the ability to charge the phone in less than an hour, in many cases. However, consumers should be aware that some rapid chargers can shorten the effective life of the battery.

Instant chargers are really one-time, non-replaceable batteries. They usually do not replace the installed battery, but rather connect to the phone just like a normal charger would. These are useful in emergency situations when a cell phone battery is low or dead. The job of this type of cell phone charger is simply to transfer current from one battery to the next.

When buying a cell phone charger, it is important to understand that just because it works with your brand of phone; it may not work with your model. Be sure to cross reference the model number on the packaging to your own phone. In many packages, the connecting portion of the charger to the phone is outside the rest of the packaging, giving the consumer a chance to test the connection, if they have their cell phone with them. This is the most foolproof way of making sure you have the right connection.

Telestereoscope

A telestereoscope is an optical device which is designed to present a three dimensional view of a distant scene, sometimes called a binocular telescope because it offers a view of distant objects through both eyes. In addition to use in optometry, telestereoscope can also be used in astronomy observatories, and at least one telestereoscope has appeared in an art installation. The basic mechanics of the device are the same in all instances, however. A telestereoscope uses two viewing fields, rather than just one, to provide a three dimensional image to the person looking through it. The experience of using a telestereoscope is similar to that of using a three dimensional viewer, or looking at a stereoscopic photograph.

The groundwork for the telestereoscope was laid by Hermann von Helmholtz, an Austrian scientist who lived between1821-1894. He had a background in medicine and physics, and spent a great deal of time pursuing the study of optics. He invented the ophthalmoscope, a medical instrument which is used to examine the inside of the human eye. He also speculated on color vision, how humans see motion, and depth perception. The telestereoscope was an optical device which he used to further his research.

A telestereoscope takes advantage of basic human optics. The human eye interprets images with the understanding that the distance between the eyes does not change. When someone looks at things in daily life, he or she is seeing a stereoscopic, or three dimensional, image, and the eyes create a sense of depth given the two images that they are receiving. Depth perception is used as a visual cue to determine how far away from something someone is. In the case of a telestereoscope, the viewer looks through periscopes which are spaced further apart than normal human eyes. As the eyes struggle to interpret the images they are seeing, things which are far away suddenly seem very close, and the image appears almost hyper-real, as the depth is distorted.

In optics, a telestereoscope is frequently used in tests of depth perception, usually in a version with does not distort vision so much. Scientific studies of optic phenomena have also used telestereoscope. In astronomy observation, a telestereoscope can be used to create a rich and lush image of a very distant point, although a telestereoscope is not a piece of standard observatory equipment, due to the cost. As an art installation, a telestereoscope can be used to make a statement about the world around the viewer, or to challenge conventional optical reality.